ASTM E1690-01

Ethanol extractives are any materials found in biomass that are soluble in ethanol. They are not considered to be part of the structural components of biomass and should be removed prior to any chemical analysis of the sample. The prolonged extraction removes nonstructural materials that can include waxes, fats, resins, tannins, gums, sugars, starches, and pigments. Removing hydrophobic materials from the biomass makes it easier to wet the material for the analysis of structural components in the biomass.

This test method yields results comparable to Test Method D 1107.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of ethanol soluble extractives, expressed as a percentage of the oven-dried biomass, of hard and soft woods, herbaceous materials (such as switchgrass and sericea), agricultural residues (such as corn stover, wheat straw, and bagasse), and wastepaper (such as office waste, boxboard, and newsprint). All results are reported relative to the oven-dried weight of the sample.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.